William M. Schneikart

Experience, Aggressiveness, Compassion 

Attorney William Schneikart has spent his entire career preparing himself to offer you and your loved ones the experience, aggressiveness and compassion that you deserve in a personal injury attorney.

Trial Experience

After graduating from law school in 1973, Mr. Schneikart was anxious to obtain as much actual courtroom experience as possible to build a strong foundation for his career as a trial lawyer.  The State of Florida entrusted him with a badge and the responsibility for prosecuting accused felons in the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida.  As an Assistant State Attorney he prepared for and conducted a great number of jury trials.  When his tenure was completed, the State Attorney, John Blair, recognized Mr. Schneikart for his, professional service rendered to the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida and this office.

Knowledge of Insurance Companies

Mr. Schneikart continued his training as a trial lawyer in Tampa, Florida.  He practiced as a defense attorney in the personal injury field and became intimately familiar with the practices and procedures used by insurance companies for evaluating, negotiating and defending the claims of injured people.  He earned the respect of many insurance professionals still in practice today.  He was eventually elected to membership in the prestigious International Association of Defense Council.

He brought his practice to Pinellas County Florida in 1980 and became a partner in the 65 man law firm of Jacobs Robbins and Gaynor. Blessed with the opportunity to represent a number of injured people, he discovered that helping people put their lives back together after serious injuries was vastly more satisfying and fulfilling than representing impersonal corporations.  He was able to use his creativity and compassion to make a difference in people's lives.  The law can indeed be a helping profession.

Personal, Caring Service to Injured People

Mr. Schneikart puts all of the case management, evaluation and negotiating skills learned from the defense practice to work for his injured clients.  His past contacts in the insurance industry often bring him immediate recognition and respect.  His goals in representing injured people are; to work as closely as possible with his clients and their physicians; to put forward the most persuasive case possible under the facts; and to obtain prompt, fair compensation for his clients.

Today, Mr. Schneikart brings his 30 plus years of trial and negotiating experience to the service of each client he accepts.  He offers aggressive, personal service throughout Central Florida.  Each case is a personal challenge to get involved and get results.  His broad and balanced background gives him the tools, knowledge and human insight to be effective and creative.  Because he has practiced in both large and small firms, he understands not only what motivates defendants to settle, but what motivates their attorneys as well.

Broad Experience Serve Every Client

Over the decades of his practice, Mr. Schneikart has become familiar with all types of personal injury cases and has helped hundreds of families beset by loss and injury.  Some have recorded their thoughts.  Many of his clients have suffered brain and spinal injuries as a result of auto, bicycle, motorcycle or truck collisions.  Others have been injured by falls, criminal attack or medical negligence.

Negotiation and Mediation Skills

In addition to his experience as a trial lawyer, Mr. Schneikart is a mediator certified by the Supreme Court of Florida for the past 16 years.  The training for this certification and the experience of acting as a mediator has further developed Mr. Schneikart's negotiation skills.  A complete trial lawyer must be able not only to prepare for and conduct trials but also to skillfully negotiate beforehand.

Honors and Recognition

• Mr. Schneikart has received the AV* Preeminent Rating under the Martindale Hubbell peer review rating service.
• Martindale-Hubbell peer review ratings reflect achievement of a very high ethical rating in professional conduct, reliability, diligence in the practice of law and legal ability. Ratings are based on performance in five key areas: legal knowledge; analytical capabilities; judgment; communication ability and experience. “AV Preeminent” is the highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability. “AV Preeminent” is a significant accomplishment, a testament to the fact that Mr. Schneikarts’s peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. Only a few percent of attorney's achieve this honor, Mr. Schneikart has been rated "AV Preeminent" since 1992.
• Clients' Choice Award - AVVO
• A+ Rating - BBB
• Tampa's Top Lawyers - Tampa Bay Magazine

*CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties, Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories - legal ability and general ethical standards.